DAY 1: Flight D: Bill Blochowiak and Mike Jespersen; Test 1 “Rifle Range”

The final test we visited was Flight D where we found Judges Bill Blochowiak and Mike Jespersen at their first series at a test called “Rifle Range.” This test is a land triple with a blind and an honor using all pheasants. The first bird is thrown to the right at 84 yards. The second on the handler’s right is thrown to the left at 104 yards. The flyer is the third bird and is to the handler’s left and is shot to the right 110 yards. The blind is to the left of the flyer at 125 yards. The terrain for this test is very uneven, throwing the dogs off-line both left and right. This test took an average of five to seven minutes depending on the work of the dog.

We got there around noon and the sun was beating down on the contestants and their dogs. The gallery was all gathered under large canopies, trying to stay out of the burning sun. A large cattle tub of water was ready for any dog that got hot. The contestants were encouraged to dip their dogs before and after running. We watched the dogs approach this test from many different angles. It is not obvious which bird they were going for. We saw a few handles and some very nice work.

Rifle Range videos I, II & III

#18 This Charming Man Of Olmsted MH, "Moz" with handler Paul Botelho

#20 Applewoods Bow Rider At SeaLion MH, "Phin," with handler, Richard Cole